Green Party: 'Haggling-style' military procurement not in line with international practice, hinders Taiwan's military buildup and war preparations
Experts and DPP officials warn that the KMT's 'haggling-style' approach to Taiwan's special defense budget bill is inconsistent with international military procurement practices, seriously impeding Taiwan's military buildup and defense readiness.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 15:32
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 16:02 (29 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 16:04 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, May 5th) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen recently reiterated that the KMT's version of the Special Defense Budget Act would be NT$380 billion + N. However, Feng Ai-li, co-founder of the Taiwan Defense Research Initiative, and Ruan Jun-da, director of the DPP's New Media Center, jointly warned today on the live program "Wu Qing LIVE" that this "haggling-style" logic is inconsistent with international military procurement practices and will severely impede Taiwan's military buildup and war preparations.
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is scheduled to convene cross-party negotiations again on May 6th to discuss the draft Special Defense Budget Act. The KMT internally has not yet reached a consensus on the allocated amount; currently, the KMT Central Committee insists on NT$380 billion + N, but some KMT legislators support allocating NT$800 billion.
Ruan Jun-da stated in a press release issued by the Democratic Progressive Party that Cheng Li-wen's so-called "N" lacks substantial legal commitment. Taiwan-US military procurements undergo rigorous inquiry and evaluation, and after the US issues a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), Taiwan must pay a deposit within a specified period. If a vague "NT$380 billion + N" is adopted, the government might lack a basis for appropriation, leading to procurement cases being cancelled before the deadline. Highly sought-after active US military equipment like HIMARS would surely be taken by other countries if Taiwan were to follow the opposition's proposal of "legislating and budgeting only after receiving the LOA."
Feng Ai-li emphasized that military buildup and war preparation are a race against time, and the KMT's "NT$380 billion + N" version will create enormous obstacles. International arms trade has no custom of "deferred payment"; if Taiwan's budget is unclear and its will to defend wavers, it will inevitably harm Taiwan-US mutual trust.
Furthermore, regarding the KMT and Taiwan People's Party's proposal to include it in the general budget, Feng Ai-li stressed that the current "8-year NT$1.25 trillion" plan is the result of long-term negotiations. Through long-term orders, it can not only reduce unit costs but also ensure the logistical resilience of industrial chains for domestically produced drones and other equipment.
Ruan Jun-da said that defense spending should return to actual needs and called on the KMT caucus to make the correct decision, allowing the fourth negotiation convened by Han Kuo-yu tomorrow to pass smoothly, so as not to delay the opportunity to strengthen Taiwan's national defense. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, May 5th) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen recently reiterated that the KMT's version of the Special Defense Budget Act would be NT$380 billion + N. However, Feng Ai-li, co-founder of the Taiwan Defense Research Initiative, and Ruan Jun-da, director of the DPP's New Media Center, jointly warned today on the live program "Wu Qing LIVE" that this "haggling-style" logic is inconsistent with international military procurement practices and will severely impede Taiwan's military buildup and war preparations.
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is scheduled to convene cross-party negotiations again on May 6th to discuss the draft Special Defense Budget Act. The KMT internally has not yet reached a consensus on the allocated amount; currently, the KMT Central Committee insists on NT$380 billion + N, but some KMT legislators support allocating NT$800 billion.
Ruan Jun-da stated in a press release issued by the Democratic Progressive Party that Cheng Li-wen's so-called "N" lacks substantial legal commitment. Taiwan-US military procurements undergo rigorous inquiry and evaluation, and after the US issues a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), Taiwan must pay a deposit within a specified period. If a vague "NT$380 billion + N" is adopted, the government might lack a basis for appropriation, leading to procurement cases being cancelled before the deadline. Highly sought-after active US military equipment like HIMARS would surely be taken by other countries if Taiwan were to follow the opposition's proposal of "legislating and budgeting only after receiving the LOA."
Feng Ai-li emphasized that military buildup and war preparation are a race against time, and the KMT's "NT$380 billion + N" version will create enormous obstacles. International arms trade has no custom of "deferred payment"; if Taiwan's budget is unclear and its will to defend wavers, it will inevitably harm Taiwan-US mutual trust.
Furthermore, regarding the KMT and Taiwan People's Party's proposal to include it in the general budget, Feng Ai-li stressed that the current "8-year NT$1.25 trillion" plan is the result of long-term negotiations. Through long-term orders, it can not only reduce unit costs but also ensure the logistical resilience of industrial chains for domestically produced drones and other equipment.
Ruan Jun-da said that defense spending should return to actual needs and called on the KMT caucus to make the correct decision, allowing the fourth negotiation convened by Han Kuo-yu tomorrow to pass smoothly, so as not to delay the opportunity to strengthen Taiwan's national defense. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150505
Choose to stand with the facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcasted, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.